NI Water remembers very unusual Winnie-the-Pooh sewer rescue lodged in Ballymoney

The first Winnie-the-Pooh book by A. A. Milne was published on 14 October 1926.

But 82 years later, in 2008, NI Water employees responding to a reported sewer blockage encountered “pooh” of a very different kind: a Winnie-the-Pooh soft toy wedged inside the pipe.

It took two hours to remove the toy and complete the clean-up operation.

While the discovery raised a smile, sewer blockages can have serious consequences for homes, communities and the environment.

Wastewater pipes serving residential properties can be as narrow as 10 centimetres and are designed to carry only the three Ps – pee, poo and toilet paper.

NI Water education officer Pat McCauley said: “Winnie-the-Pooh may have made it out of this particular sticky situation, but items that are flushed or put down drains can cause significant problems.

“Blocked sewers can lead to wastewater flooding in homes and streets, create a risk of pollution and require considerable time and resources to clear.

“The message is simple: only flush the three Ps – pee, poo and toilet paper. Wipes, sanitary products and all other household waste should always be placed in the bin. Soft toys should, of course, stay safely above ground.”

NI Water is asking everyone to help prevent avoidable blockages by remembering:

• Only flush pee, poo and toilet paper.
• Put all wipes in the bin, even if they are labelled “flushable”.
• Bag and bin sanitary products, nappies and other personal items.
• Allow fats, oils and grease to cool before placing them in the bin – never pour them down the sink.
• Keep toys well away from toilets and drains!

Further advice on preventing blockages is available at www.niwater.com/education-and-the-community/bag-it-and-bin-it.